Table 2 Prospects and recommendations for the development of community-based care in Laos

Expanded roles and tasks

Potential expansion of testing services for non-malarial febrile illness and NCDs prevention, using low-cost, user-friendly diagnostic tools; smartphone applications and guidelines for antenatal care and the management of childhood illness

Training

Focus on audio-visual educational programmes; digital literacy

Incentives

Monthly stipend; access to health care without co-payment; awards

Relationship with the communities

Focus on selection criteria, considering gender balance, bilingual skills, and education

Relationship with the health system

Programme adaptation to different contexts and needs; horizontal integration of vertical programmes; technology adoption

Financing

Continued donor support, while planning for local funding through provincial budgets and village funds

Governance

Increasing devolution of responsibilities for planning and management to provincial health departments and district health offices